635 

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PRICE TWENTY-FIVE CENTS 



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SOMEWHERE 
IN TEXAS 

BY 
HARRY VAN DEMARK 





THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 
PHILADELPHIA 



Successful Rural Plays 

A Strong List From ¥/hich to Select Your 

Next Play 

FARM FOIiKS. A Rur^l Piay in Four Acts, by Aars^m 
Lewis Tubes. For five male and six female characters. Time 
of playing, two hours and a half. One simple exterior, two 
ea^ (interior scenes. Costumes, modern. Flora Goodwin, a 
farmer's daughter, is engaged to .Philip Burleigh, a young New 
Yorker. Philip's mother wants him to marry a society woman, 
and by fal'Sehoods makes Flora believe Philip does not love her. 
Dave Weston, who wants Flora himself, helps the deception by 
intercepting a letter from Philip to Flora. She agrees to marry 
Dave, but on the eve of their marriage Dave confesses, Philip 
learns the truth, and he and Flora are reunited. It is a simple 
'plot, but full of speeches and situations that sway an audience 
aiterhately to tears and to laughter. Price, 25 cents. 

HOME TIES. A Rural Play in Four Acts, by A&thus 
Lewis Tubes. Characters, four male, five female. Play« two 
hours and a half. Scene, a simple interior — same for all four 
acts. Costumes, modern. One of the strongest plays Mr. Tubbs 
has written. Martin Winn's wife left him when his daughter 
Ruth was a baby. Harold Vincent, the nephew and adopted scm 
of the man who has wronged Martin, makes love to Ruth Winn. 
She is also loved by Len Everett, a prosperous young farmer. 
When Martin discovers who Harold is, he orders him to leave 
Ruth. Harold, who does not love sincerely, yields. Ruth ^dis- 
covers she loves Len, but thinks she has lost him also. Th&n 
he comes back, and Ruth finds her happiness. Price 25 cents. 

^ THE OI.D NEW^ HAMPSHIRE HOME. A New 

England Drama in Three Acts, by Frank Dumont, For seven 
males and four females. Time, two hours and a half. Costumes, 
modern. A play with a strong heart interest and pathos, yet rich 
in humor. Easy to act and very effective. A rural drama of 
the "Old Homstead" and "Way Down East" type. Two ex- 
terior scenes, one interior, all easy to set. Full of strong sit- 
uations and delightfully humorous passages. The kind of a play 
everybody understands and likes. Price, 25 cents* 

THE OLD DAIRY HOMESTEAD. A Rural Comedy 
in Three Acts, by Frank Dumont. For five males and four 
females. Time, two hours. Rural costumes. Scenes rural ex- 
terior and interior. An adventurer obtains a large sum of money 
from a farm house through the intimidation of the farmer's 
niece, whose husband he claims to be. Her escapes from the 
wiles of the villain and his female accomplice are both starting 
and novel. Price, 15 cents. 

A WHITE MOUNTAIN BOY. A Strong Melodrama in 
Five Acts, by Charles Townsend. For seven males and four 
females, and three supers. Time, two hours and twenty minutes. 
One exterior, three interiors. Costumes easy. The hero,^ a 
country lad, twice saves the life ©f a banker's daughter, which 
results in their betrothal. A scoundrelly clerk has the banker 
in his power, but tlie White Mountain boy finds a way to check- 
mate his schemes, saves the banker, and wins the girl. Price 
15 cents. 

THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 

PHILADELPHIA 



Somewhere In Texas 

A Melodrama in Three Acts 



By 
HARRY VAN DEMARK 

Author of The Ranchman;' '*A Texas Ranger C 
**Her Friend the Enemy;' etc. 




PHILADELPHIA 

THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 

I 9 I 8 






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Copyright 191 8 by The Penn Publishing Company 



©C1.D 49()69 
Somewhere In Texas 



Somewhere In Texas 



CAST OF CHARACTERS 



RUFE Bronson 
Hike Maynard - 

Dan Hartley - 
MoRT Milton 
LiGE Harvey - 
Col. John Gallitin 
AiNSLEY Gallitin - 
Dike Flinders - 
Gabe Sandel ) 
Cal Wilson \ 
Sylvia Eagan 
MoLLiE Gallitin 
Mrs. Gallitin. 
Mary Harvey 
Martha - 



a youfig cotton planter 

goo d-f or 'nothing — leader of the 

Gray Riders 

the village ne* er-do-well 

the postmaster 

- a mountaineer 

a planter 

his son 

a Negro employed by the Colonel 

friends of Maynard* s 

a guest at the Gallitins* 
the Colonel's daughter 

a mountain girl 
a colored servant 



Note : — Mort or Dan may double with Lige. 
may double with Mary Harvey. 

Time of Playing. — Two hours and a half. 



MOLLIE 



SYNOPSIS 

Act I. — The village square in Mesa, Texas. Late after- 
noon. The threat. 

Acr 11. — Living-room at Colonel Gallitin's, the next night. 
The accusation. 

Act III. — Mountain cabin of Lige Harvey — two hours later. 
A clear sky. 



Time. — Any time in the fall. 



THE STORY OF THE PLAY 

Rufe Bronson, a young Northerner, inherits a cotton 
plantation in Texas. Sylvia Eagan visits MoUie 
Gallitin, and Dan Hartley is rude to her. Rufe 
comes to her aid, and wins the enmity of Dan and 
his band of " Gray Riders." Hike Maynard, 
hired to kill Bronson, fails because of a clever 
bluff by Rufe. Ainsley Gallitin, in love with 
Sylvia, dislikes Rufe, but his sister Mollie burdens 
Rufe with her attentions. At a dance at Gallitin's, 
Hike falsely accuses Rufe of murder. " The 
Gray Riders are after you." Sylvia warns him, 
but he refuses to run. The Gray Riders take him 
to the cabin of Lige Harvey, father of the mur- 
dered man. Mary Harvey befriends Rufe, but 
Colonel Gallitin, spurred by Sylvia, comes to the 
rescue. The Gray Riders are defeated. Hike 
goes to jail, Ainsley confesses, and Rufe and 
Sylvia are happy at last. 



COSTUMES AND CHARACTERISTICS 

Rufe Bronson. A young man of twenty-eight, 
athletic, genial; attired for Act I in dark coat, 
lighter trousers, boots and a broad-brimmed hat; 
in Acts n and HI, in a plain business suit. 

Hike Maynard. Thirty, with dark complexion and 
sinister cast of countenance. Attired throughout 
the play in broad-brimmed hat, a rough suit and 
boots. 

Dan Hartley. Fifty, gray haired, bristling mus- 
tache, attired in a well-worn suit, and an old pair 
of shoes. He wears a slouch hat. 

MoRT Milton. Forty-five, short, rather stout, with 
a very important air, and a high-pitched voice. 
Attired in gray trousers, soft shirt and easy shoes. 
Wears spectacles. 



PROPERTIES 

LiGE Harvey. Fifty. Rough mountain costume, 
with boots and broad-brimmed hat. 

Col. Gallitin. Sixty, very gray hair and mustache, 
dark suit, boots, broad-brimmed hat. Wears rid- 
ing gauntlets in Act I. Has his coat off in Act H, 

AiNSLEY Gallitin. Twenty-two, high tempered and 
spirited, incHned to sulk. Smart business clothes. 

Dike Flinders. Negro. Forty. Soft shirt, over- 
alls, slouch hat. 

Sandel and Wilson. In their thirties. Attired 
similar to Maynard. 

Sylvia Eagan. Young, pretty, vivacious, attired in 
simple lawn dress or light traveling suit in Act I, 
and in evening gown in Acts II and III. 

MoLLiE Gallitin. Dark-haired, rather striking in 
appearance. Dress is similar to Sylvia's. 

Mrs. Gallitin. In latter forties. Wears black dress 
in Act II. 

Mary Harvey. Eighteen, pretty, attired in one-piece 
dress, drawn together at waist with a rude belt. 
Wears patched stockings and old, rough shoes. 

Martha. Colored. Fifty. Gingham dress, apron 
and white cap. 



PROPERTIES 



For Sylvia: suit-case. For Mary: dipper, kettle, 
coffee-pot, holster containing pistol. For Mar- 
tha: slippers, bootjack, pipe. For Rufe: quirt, 
hat. For Hike: coin, watch, cigar, matches, 
whip, pistol. For Cal: rope. For Colonel: 
two pistols, spectacles, newspaper, handkerchief. 
For Mort: postal card, hat. For Dike: tele- 
phone. For Dan: shotgun and loaded shell. 
For Ainsley: wallet containing money. For 
Lige: shotgun. 

Other Properties and Stage Effects : Books, lighted 
lamp, magazines ; sound of wagon and train heard 
off stage (may be omitted) ; train whistle and 
hoof beats heard off stage. Phonograph heard 
off stage to represent orchestra. 



SCENE PLOTS 
Act I 



D AC /(/A/a 



Foj rSl£PMOAf£ 



STotie O^ 




Scene. — Street in village of Mesa, Texas. Drop 
shows street, buildings, etc. Up L. front of store 
and post-office, with window and door, and sign, 
"Mort Milton, General Store and Post-Office." 
At L. front of hotel, with door, and porch if de- 
sired. Rough boxes and barrel up l. in front of 
store. Rough bench down r. Wood wings R. 
and L. as shown. Set trees may also be placed 
if desired. 

Act II 
sxTEBfon Backing 



j?>^y v^/AfPot^ 




Scene. — Room in house of Colonel Gallitin. Back 

6 



[SCENE PLOTS 

drop shows yard and moonlight effect. Door tip 
L. and others r. and down l. Fireplace L. Bay 
window and seat up c. (may be omitted). Couch 
and rocker r. Table and two chairs l. Other 
furnishings, bookcases, chairs, pictures, as desired. 
It should be a comfortable but not luxurious room. 



Act III 
fxrgff/o;? BACKUP a 




Scene. — Cabin of Lige Harvey. Back drop shows 
mountain exterior and moonlight. Doors up c. 
and at R. Window up l. (may be omitted). 
Fireplace L. Pistol hangs in holster by fireplace. 
Table and chairs up r. Lamp and dishes on table. 
Rough bench down r. Stool and pail up L., near 
door. Other furnishings as desired to make a 
rough cabin or shack. 



Somewhere in Texas 



ACT I 

Scene. — Street in village of Mesa (pronounced 
May 2a). Store with window and door up l, 
(See Scene Plots.) Telephone on counter or table 
inside open window. Hotel at l. Rough bench 
down R. Wood wings r. and L. 

(At rise of curtain Hike Maynard comes out of hotel 
L. and looks cautiously about, then motions to 
some one inside. Enter Dan Hartley, l. They 
move slowly down c.) 

Hike (c). Look here, Hartley, we've gotta have 

your help. 
Dan (l. c, half -scared). Yuh mean you're goin' t' 

do up Rufe Bronson? 
Hike. Yes; do him so clean he'll never know what 

happened. 

Dan. But, Hike 

Hike. Now, shut up, an' listen t' me! 
Dan. Well, ain't I listenin'? 

(Acts as if he doesn't want to hear.) 

Hike. I want you to go home and git your shot- 
gun 

Dan. Oh, say, now, Hike 

Hike. Then you come back here, hide yourself 
where you can git a good view of the street, an' 
shoot Bronson when he comes fer his mail. 

Dan {beginning to shake). Sh-sh-shoot Rufe Bron- 
son? 

Hike (impatiently). Yes; shoot Rufe Bronson! 

9 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



Dan. Now, look here, Hike 

Hike. Shut up, an' do as I tell you ! 
Dan. It's a mean job — I don't like it! 

{Shakes his head.) 

Hike {as he steps hack and looks him over, a sneer 
^ curling his lips) . You're a nice specimen to com- 
plain like that, ain't you now? 

Dan. Well, I ain't much of a man, Hike, but I — 
I {Pauses and looks about uneasily.) 

Hike {threateningly). Look here — d'you want me t* 
tell th* sheriff about that little affair at Whisperin' 
Swamp ? 

Dan {grasping his arm, and looking furtively about). 
Aw, look here, Hike, don't squeal on me ! (Hike 
laughs sneeringly.) I — I didn't mean t' do it — 
honest, I didn't ! You won't say nothin', will yuh ? 

Hike. That all depends. 

Dan {pleading). Oh, I'll do anything y' say, now, 
Hike — anything y' say ! 

Hike. Then go fetch your shotgun, like I told yuh. 

Dan. All r-r-right. 

Hike. Rufe Bronson is too dangerous a man to live 
in these parts. 

Dan {drawing himself up in an effort to appear 
brave). Well, I'll shoot him if you say so. Hike. 
I never did like him, nohow. I'll shoot him — sure 
I will! 

Hike. Then buck up ! What makes you so nervous ? 

Dan. I ain't nervous, Hike. I — I ain't feelin' well 
t'-day— that's all. But I'll shoot Rufe Bronson. 

Hike. Well, Rufe's apt to show up here most any 
minute. He alius comes fer his mail about this 
time. {Pushes Dan over to hotel and hands him 
a coin.) Go in and git up your courage, Dan. 

Dan {in doorway, bracing up). Courage, Hike? I 
got th' courage of a lion. 

Hike. Well, tell the boys I want to see 'em. 

Dan {as he goes). All right. Hike— I'll tell 'em—I'll 
tell 'em. 

lO 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



(Exit, L., into hotel.) 

(Hike goes up and looks off, l., taking out his watch 
as he does so, then comes down stage again. 
Enter from hotel, l., his cronies, Gabe Sandel 
and Cal Wilson.) 

Gabe. What d'ye want with us, Hike? 

Hike. Sh! {Looks about — speaks impressively and 

draws them down c.) I've fixed it with Dan 

Hartley. 
Cal. D'ye think he'll do it? 
Hike {down c). He will if we keep him up to it. 

He's a holy terror when he's lit up. 
Gabe {chuckling). Ain't he, though? I remember 

the time he shot up the town. Wasn't a soul t' 

be seen on the street as far as th' eye could reach. 
Cal {down l. c). Nobody'd come out — 'fraid Dan'd 

perforate 'em. 
Hike. With Rufe Bronson out of the way we'll have 

things in our own hands. 
Cal. An' that means th' Gray Riders'll be out again. 
Hike. Shut up! Don't mention those words above 

a whisper. 
Gabe {down l. c). That's right, Cal — ain't nobody 

near, though. 
Hike. We can't take no chances. 
Cal. D'ye think Rufe Bronson suspects? 
Hike. Of course, he suspects. Didn't he tell Mort 

Milton that things was in a pretty bad state around 

here, an' if certain folks didn't look out they'd 

find their necks in nooses? Suspect us? Well, 

I should say he does! 
Gabe. Well, if he's figurin' on makin' trouble, he'll 

likely do it, unless we git to him first. I don't 

hanker after Rufe Bronson much, but nobody's 

ever accused him o' crawfishin' on any sort of a 

proposition. 
Hike {savagely) . That's just the reason he's got to 

go. If he stays here he'll break up this band of 

ours, and that won't set well at all. He's gotta 

die! 

II 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



Gabe (swallowing hard). That word "die" kinder 
sticks in my craw. Hike. Can't — can't yuh say 
it a little easier ? 

Hike. I alius say just what I mean. You boys know 
that. 

Cal. Yes, we know you do. But this is an awful 
dirty piece o' business. 

Hike. I admit all that, but if Dan Hartley shoots 
him who's going to blame us ? 

Cal. No one, I reckon. But s'pos'n he fails ? 

Hike. Then Mr. Bronson will have a pleasant little 
call from — er — well you know who — some dark 
night, after which he'll mysteriously disappear, 
leavin' no trace behind. (Noise heard in store 
up L. ) Sh ! Here comes the postmaster ! 

(They move over r.) 
(Enter Mort Milton from post-office, up l.) 

MoRT (pausing and surveying them). Say, what you 

fellers plottin' about ? 
Hike. Nothin' — nothin', Mort. Jest a little confab 

about th' dance up at Colonel Gallitin's to-morrow 

night. We kinder feel slighted at not gittin' an 

invite. 
MoRT (coming down c). Well, I s'pose Rufe Bron- 

son'U be there all right. They say he's kinda 

sweet on Miss Mollie. 
Hike. I don't see what she sees to admire in the 

upstart. 
Gabe. It's because he dresses in them fine clothes, 

an* cuts such a swell dido when he goes to see her. 
Cal. I hear he bought a dress suit last month. 
MoRT. What! A reg'lar clawhammer? 
Cal. Yep. 

Gabe. Who was tellin' yuh, Cal ? 
Cal. Sam Snodgrass was up tuh San Angelo when 

Rufe ordered it. Sure enuff broadcloth, with 

white tokay vest an' silk hat. 
Hike, You mean a pee-kay vest. 

12 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



Cal. Darned if I do. I said to-kay, an' I'll stick 
to it! 

MoRT. I s'pose he'll be wearin' it to th' dance. Most 
o' th' other young bloods'll be there. Rufe never 
struck me as bein' so much on style, so I reckon 
if he's breakin' out with it now, he's sure enuff 
in love. 

Gabe. Maybe it's in honor o' that San Angelo gal 
that's comin' tuh visit th' Gallitins. 

Hike. What gal's that, Gabe? 

Gabe. Darned if I ever heard her name. Some one 
told me the Gallitins was expectin' her, an' I 
s'pose Rufe Bronson'll kinder feel 'at she's his 
game. 

Hike. I s'pose it's that Miss Eagan. Well, enough 
o' this foolishness. You fellers come with me. 
See you later, Mort. 

MoRT. All right. Hike. (Hike, Gabe and Cal, 
talking, exeunt, down r. At the same time Dan 
Hartley comes out of hotel and exit up l. Mort 
starts into store, up l., when horse's hoofs are 
heard approaching off r. He turns.) Hello! 
Somebody comin' down th' road yonder. Won- 
der who it is ? {Shades his eyes with his hand. ) 
Why, it's Colonel Gallitin. Mus' be comin' after 
his mail. 

{Hoofs pause off r., and enter Colonel Gallitin, 

up R.) 

Colonel. Hello, Mort. 
Mort. Howdy, kunnel. 
Colonel. Nothing new about the fellows who robbed 

your store, I suppose. 
Mort. Not a thing, kunnel. Them fellers certainly 

made a clean get-away. But the sheriff, he says 

he'll nail 'em yet. 
Colonel. Well, anything the sheriff says he'll do he 

usually does. Any mail to-day? 
Mort. Afternoon mail ain't in yet, but I got a postal 

card that come this momin*. 

13 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



Colonel (brushing dust from his clothes with a pair 
of gauntlets). A postal, eh? 

MoRT. Yep. Frum Miss Sylvy Eagan of San Angelo. 
Reckon she must be comin' down to th' dance. 

Colonel. You rascal ! Have you read the card ? 

MoRT {apologetically), I didn't mean no harm, 
kunnel, but you know th' law says it's a peniten- 
tiary offense tuh write a threat on a postal card, 
so I alius read 'em tuh make sure folks is up-' 
holdin' th' law. 

Colonel {laughing). Oh, you do, eh? I'm sure 
that's your only object in reading other people's 
mail. 

MoRT. Yes, suh, kunnel — of course it is. 

Colonel. Well, get me the card. And, by the way, 
you haven't seen anything of that nigger, Dike 
Flinders, have you? 

MoRT. No, kunnel. I ain't seen him. Want him? 

Colonel. Yes. I sent him with that old mule of 
mine for a load of cotton-seed hulls, and I haven't 
seen him since. Well — get the card. 

MoRT. All right, kunnel. {Starts into post-office, L.) 

Colonel. And, Mort! 

MoRT {turning in doorway). Yes, kunnel. 

Colonel. I reckon it's a good thing the law doesn't 
make it a penitentiary offense to write threats in 
a letter. You'd have your hands full then. 

MoRT. I reckon you're right. {Steps inside and re- 
turns immediately with postal, reading card 
aloud.) This is what she says: "Dear Mollie. 
Will be with you Tuesday, sure, and as the dance 
isn't till Wednesday night, we'll have time for 
a good old-fashioned chat. Sincerely, S. E." 
That's what she says, kunnel. There surely ain't 
no threat about that. Want tuh read it? 

Colonel. No; you've saved me the trouble. But I 
reckon Mollie will. {Takes card and puts it in 
his pocket, recollects something, takes it out, looks 
at it. ) Why, there's no name signed here. Only 
the initials, and the postmark doesn't even show 
San Angelo. 

14 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



MoRT (looking at Colonel over his glasses, and chew- 
ing vigorously). Is that so, kunnel? Kinda 
funny, ain't it ? 

Colonel {sternly). How did you know this card 
was from Miss Eagan? 

MoRT {embarrassed) . Well, yuh see now, kunnel 

Colonel. How did you know it ? 

MoRT. Jest what Fm tryip' tuh tell yuh, kunnel. I 
heard Gabe Sandel say he thought it must be her. 
Then Hike Maynard said 

Colonel {angrily). Gabe Sandel! Hike Maynard! 

MoRT. Yep — that's right. 

Colonel. How did they know Miss Eagan was com- 
ing down here? 

MoRT. I dunno. 

Colonel. Have you been telling them about my mail ? 

MoRT. No, sir, not exactly, kunnel. Yuh see, some 
o' th' boys was around a while ago, an' Gabe 
Sandel says, " Th' Gallitin dance must be in honor 
o' that San Angelo gal," and Hike Maynard says 
by way of reply, says he, " You must mean Sylvy 
Eagan." Then I seen the initials on the card an' 
I knew what I knew. I tell yuh, kunnel. Hike 
an* Gabe's kinder slighted 'at they didn't git no 
invite tuh th' dance. 

Colonel. Oh, they're slighted, are they? Do you 
suppose I want a lot of good-for-nothings running 
loose on my premises? 

MoRT. Nope — I sort o* reckon yuh don't. 

Colonel. Hike Maynard and his crowd will not be 
invited to my house if they live to be a hundred 
years old. 

MoRT. D'ye know what Hike says, kunnel ? 

Colonel. I don't care what he says. 

MoRT. He says there's too much aristocracy here- 
abouts, an' that it oughter be reg'lated. He's 
down on the 'ristocrats, and he's down on th' 
niggers, an' there you are. 

Colonel. I thank heaven, sir, there is an aristocracy 
"hereabouts," as you express it. If we had to 
mix with the rabble which composes at least half 
15 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



of the Mesa citizenship, I'd say, God help our 
daughters! Things have certainly changed since 
I was a boy! 

MoRT. Well, I don't want no hand in th' scrimmage. 
O' course, yuh know, kunnel, a feller in my line 
o' business must be friends with everybody. 

Colonel {flourishing postal). Well, be friendly if 
you have to, but if you read any more of my mail 
I'll have you removed from office. 

MoRT. Oh, kunnel, yuh wouldn't do that ! 

Colonel. Try me ! 

MoRT (gating at him over his glasses). Nope — I'd 
rather stop readin' th' mail. But it'll be a sore 
disapp'intment to the boys, 'cause they kinder 
likes to be kept informed as to what's goin' on on 
your plantation. 

Colonel. Just let me catch you telling Hike May- 
nard anything about my affairs. It will be a 
sorry day for you, and I hope you'll remember it. 

{Exit, up R. Horse's hoofs heard, receding. Mort 
chuckles. ) 

Mort {calling after him). Reckon I'll remember 
what you say. You're a bad man tuh git mixed 
up with. {A train whistle is heard in the dis- 
tance.) By cracky, there's the afternoon train. 
I must see about gittin' the mail. {He looks off 
up L. Train effects, if desired, heard off l., finally 
stopping. Mort darts into the store and gets his 
hat, comes out immediately, and looks off L. 
again.) Hi ! There comes a gal up the sidewalk. 
Must be Miss Eagan from San Angelo. {Looks 
around.) Seems like some o' th' Gallitins'd 
oughter be here tuh meet her. {Stands up c.) 

{Noise of train, receding, is heard, and finally stops. 
As the noise dies away, enter, up L., Sylvia 
Eagan. She is carrying a suit-case.) 

Sylvia {seeing Mort and putting suit-case down). 
Good-afternoon. 

i6 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



MoRT. Good-afternoon. {Bows.) 

Sylvia. Have you seen anything of Miss MoUie 
Gallitin? 

MoRT. No, I ain't, miss. Th* kunnel rode up a while 
back fer his mail, but I ain't seen Miss MoUie nor 
Ainsley about here t'-day. Mebbe they'll come 
down later, Lemme take your suit-case. 

{Goes to her and takes it.) 

Sylvia. You are very kind. 

MoRT. Oh, don't mention it, ma'am. 

Sylvia {annoyed). Strange some of the Gallitins 
are not here. They were expecting me. I wrote 
them two days ago. 

MoRT. Well, like as not they didn't git your postal 
till t'-day. 

Sylvia. How did you know I wrote a postal? 

MoRT. Er — ahem ! — I — er — I jest 'lowed 'at yuh did. 

Sylvia. I wonder if the postmaster would know ? 

MoRT. Well — er — ahem! — he might. Yuh can't tell. 

Sylvia. Where can I find him ? 

MoRT. I'm him ! 

Sylvia. Oh, you're the postmaster? 

MoRT. Yep ; I'm him, an' he's me. 

Sylvia. How fortunate! Then you can surely tell 
me if the Gallitins got my card. 

MoRT. No, I wouldn't know, honest, I wouldn't. 
We git so many postal cards, it's hard tuh remem- 
ber who takes 'em out, an' that's a fact, Miss 

{Pause.) 

Sylvia. Eagan — Sylvia Eagan. 

MoRT. Yuh see. Miss Eagan, Fm a strict believer in 
the old adage that every feller shall keep his nose 
out o' t'other feller's business. I never read any 
o* my customers' mail. No, indeed! 

Sylvia. Well, that's commendable in you, I'm sure, 
Mr.— er {Pause.) 

MoRT. Milton, ma'am — Mort Milton. 

Sylvia. What would you advise me to do? 

17 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



MoRT. I advise yuh tuh come intuh my store an* 

wait till some one comes. 
Sylvia. I suppose that would be best. 
MoRT. Right this way. I got th' suit-case. Right 

this way, 

(He leads the way up l. Sylvia follows. As they 
go Dike Flinders, Colonel Gallitin's negro, 
enters, shuffling, up r.) 

Dike. Mistah Milton — oh, Mistah Milton ! 

MoRT {pausing up l.). Well, what d'ye want? 

{Sees him.) Oh, it's you. Dike Flinders! Say, 

the kunnel's lookin' fer yuh. 
Dike {startled). Has de kunnel done been heah? 
MoRT. Yep. It's a wonder you didn't pass him. 
Sylvia. Oh, he must be coming back for me. I'll 

wait in the store. 

{Exit, up l.) 

Dike. I gotta fine de kunnel right away. Whar yo' 
reckon I kin cotch him, Mistah Milton? 

MoRT. Think I saw him go intuh th' Delmonico Hotel, 
Dike, but I ain't sure. You might try 'phonin' 
him. {Points to 'phone in window of store.) 
Be keerful of the apparatus, though — I jest had 
it put in. Th' hotel number's fifty-six. 

Dike. Thank yuh, sah. Dat's what I'll do— I'll 
'phone de kunnel at de hotel. 

(Goes to window, reaches through and gets 'phone.) 

MoRT. What's wrong? 

Dike. E-nuff! 

MoRT. Where's your mule? 

Dike. Magnolia? She done balk, sah, an* now she's 

standin' up de street dar, en won't move an inch. 
MoRT {laughing). That's the way with mules — they're 

like some humans — they sure are ornary critters. 

(Exit, laughing, into store, up l.) 

Dike (speaking into 'phone). Hello — hello, dar! 

i8 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



{Pause.) Please, ma'am, gimme number fifty- 
six. Huh? Yas'm, dat's it — fifty-six. {Pause.) 
Hello! Am dis de Delmonico Hotel? {Pause.) 
Well, I wants to talk tuh Marse Kunnel Gallitin. 
{Pause.) Hello! Dat yo', Marse Kunnel ? Dis 
is Dike. I done rung yo' up, sah, tuh tell yuh 
dat — dat Magnolia she done balk down de street 

heah. Huh ? She done balk — halk, sah. She 

{Pause.) 'Bout half an hour ago, sah. {Pause.) 
Yas'r, I bus' her in de haid, sah. {Pause.) 
Yas'r, I done wear de whip handle out on her, 
sah. {Pause.) Yas'r, I kick her in de belly 
'bout eight times, sah. {Pause.) Marse Kunnel, 
I would 'a' kick her some more, but I hurt mah 
toe de las' time I kick her, sah. {Pause.) Twis' 
her tail? No, sah — not me, sah! A gem'man 
f rum San Angelo, sah, he twis' her tail. {Pause. ) 
No, sah, I don' reckon he's daid — not exactly 
daid. But de doctah done took him intuh de 
drug sto', sah. {Pause — chuckles.) Yas'r, it 
suah was foolish, wa'n't it? {Pause.) Huh? 
Oh, yas'r, I done set fiah under Magnolia, sah. 
{Pause.) No, but it done burn de harness clean 
off 'n her, sah. {Pause.) De cart? Yas'r, done 
burn de cart too — all but one wheel. {Pause.) 
Yas'r, I save de hulls, sah, by dumpin' 'em in de 
road. Shall I come back tuh de plantation, or 
shall I wait fer Magnolia tuh move, sah? 
{Pause.) Yas'r, I'll wait right heah till yo' 
sends de dynamite. {Hangs up receiver and mops 
his brow. Enter Sylvia and Mort from store.) 
Dat suah is a fool mule. {Stands up c.) Mag- 
nolia don' know w'en she's well off. Betcha 
Marse Kunnel done blow dat mule tuh heaben ! 

MoRT {looking off^ r.). Reckon it's about time some 
o' them Gallitins was showin' up. Miss Eagan. 

Sylvia. I quite agree with you. 

MoRT. But don't be uneasy. We'll get you out there 
somehow. 

Sylvia. I'm not uneasy, and please pardon me if I 
seem impatient. 

19 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



MoRT {to Dike). Dike, go over to the hotel and tell 
Kunnel Gallitin if he's still there that Miss Eagan 
is at my store. 

Dike. All right, Mistah Milton, I tell him. I reckon 
Magnoliall be right dar when I gits back, 

{Chuckles; exit, r.) 

MoRT. Dike's workin' f er the kunnel. He'll find him 
if he's still in town. {Goes R.) 

{At this moment a shot is heard off l., followed by a 
drunken shout, Sylvia starts up r. Dan Hart- 
ley enters, l., a shotgun in his hand, into which 
he is trying to jam another shell.) 

Sylvia {grasping Mort's arm). What's the matter 

with him? 
MoRT. Got a little too much, I reckon. Go intuh the 

store. {She does not obey. Dan sees her.) 
Dan {leering at her). Hello, sweet one! Waitin* 

f er me, eh ? Well, gimme a kiss, darlin' ! 

{He starts toward Sylvia. She screams, and runs 
down R. MoRT gets between her and Dan.) 

MoRT. Look here, Dan Hartley — can't yuh see you're 

scarin' th' lady? 
Dan. Now you jest close your face, Mort Milton! 

H ye don't yuh'll git it filled so full o' shot yuh 

won't know t'-day frum yisterday. {To Sylvia.) 

Now for the kiss, gal ! 
Sylvia {frightened). You brute! Don't dare come 

near me! 

{She moves further away from him. He staggers 
slowly toward her, down r. She runs up stage, 
just as horse's hoofs are heard off R., growing 
louder, then Rufe Bronson's voice off stage.) 

Rufe. Hold up there, Hartley, you ruffian! 
Sylvia. Help me, please! {Runs across l.) 
Dan. That's Rufe Bronson. I've got tuh git him! 
I've got to ! 

20 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



(Runs up c, gun in hand and looks off r. just as Rufe 
runs in.) 

Rufe (savagely). Drop that gun, Hartley! 
Dan. I won't, Bronson. You take that ! 

(Staggers, brings gun to his shoulder and fires.) 

Rufe (dodging, then he knocks muzzle of gun up in 
the air). Who are you shooting at, you coward! 
Dan. I'm shootin' at you, an' I'll 

(Raises gun again. Rufe grasps it by the muzzle and 
turns it away. They stand looking into each 
other's eyes.) 

Rufe. If you shoot at me again. Hartley, don't miss, 
or I'll kill you ! 

Dan. I won't miss next time ! 

Rufe. Yes, you will, because you couldn't hit the 
side of Mort Milton's store. 

Dan (savagely, as he jerks gun out of Rufe's hands), 
I'll show yuh what I kin hit, you low-down cotton 
raiser! I'll learn you who's yer master around 
these parts! Here's where I blow yuh plum 
to 

Rufe. Don't say it! You're irresponsible, and I 
don't want to hurt you. 

Dan (leering toward Sylvia, who is down l.). I'll 
be with yuh in a minute, dearie, soon's I do fer 
this upstart. I'll 

Rufe. Drop that gun! 

Dan. I won't! 

Rufe (up r. c, hand to his hip pocket). Drop it, or 
I'll blow daylight clean through you! (Pause.) 
Drop it! (Dan has half -raised the gun.) I'll 
give you till I count three! (Counts slowly.) 
One ! Two ! Drop it ! ( The gun clatters to 
the ground. ) Pick up that gun, Mort ! Take it 
into the store and don't let him have it till he's 
sober. 

Mort. Jest as you say, Rufe — jest as you say. 

(Goes up c, picks up gun and carries it up l.) 

21 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



RuFE {to Dan). I ought to thrash you within an 

inch of your Hfe! 
Dan {up c, whining), Yuh wouldn't pick on a pal, 

would yuh, Rufe ? 
RuFE. A pal, Hartley ? Don't make me laugh ! But 

I couldn't have shot you. The only weapon I 

have about me is this! 

{Pulls a quirt out of his hip-pocket and laughs.) 

Dan. But — I've got to talk to the lady now. 

Rufe. If you say one word to her, I'll break every 

bone in your body! 
Dan {leering at Sylvia again). He don't want me 

to talk to yuh, Miss. He 

Rufe. I warned you, Hartley ! 

(Hits him. Dan falls and lies still.) 

Sylvia {going up c). Oh, sir, I hope you haven't 
killed him! 

Rufe {lifting his hat). No such luck, miss. {To 
MoRT.) Pick up this trash and take it into your 
store. It's a bad looking object to be lying around 
here, especially since there's a lady present. 

(Bows low to Sylvia.) 

MoRT. All right, Rufe. Reckon he'll come around 

all right? {Goes to Dan.) 
Rufe. Sure, he's only stunned. {Turns to Sylvia.) 

Can I be of any further help to you, miss? My 

name is Rufe Bronson. 
Sylvia {her face lighting up as she extends her hand). 

Oh, I have heard of you from Mollie Gallitin. I 

am Sylvia Eagan, of San Angelo. 

(They move slowly down r. Mort assists Dan to 
his feet, and takes him into store, up l.) 

Rufe. You've come down to the dance, haven't you ? 
Sylvia. You're a fine guesser, Mr. Bronson. 
Rufe. ^ I suppose I ought to apologize for the town, 
Miss Eagan. I'm sorry any one in Mesa would 

22 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



insult a lady. But you know it takes all sorts o£ 
people to make a community, and I reckon Mesa's 
no exception to the rule. {Looking back.) I 
reckon he won't repeat the offense very soon. 

Sylvia. Are you sure he isn't badly injured? 

RuFE. No. Don't worry about him — he deserved all 
he got. 

Sylvia. He probably did not realize what he was 
doing. But have you seen Mollie Gallitin? She 
was to meet me, or send her brother, Ainsley. 

RuFE. I haven't seen either of them to-day, but then 
I've been away most of the time. Strange one of 
them is not here, though. They are usually very 
punctual. 

Sylvia. Do you live near them? 

RuFE. Yes; our plantations are only a mile apart. 
Most likely your mail miscarried. But never 
mind — they'll be glad to know you're here. 

Sylvia. Oh, I'm not worried about my welcome. 
But in the meanwhile 

RuFE. In the meanwhile, I wouldn't think of leav- 
ing you here, Miss Eagan. I reckon I can find 
some sort of a conveyance in town, and I'll be 
pleased to drive you out. 

Sylvia. That's kind of you, but 

RuFE (bowing). Now, don't say another word. I'm 
only doing my duty toward womankind. 

Sylvia (laughing). What a pretty speech. I had 
supposed the days of the cavaliers were over. 

RuFE. Will you wait for me here ? 

Sylvia (looking rather uneasily about). Yes — I — 
I suppose so. 

RuFE (smiling). Oh, you have nothing more to fear 
from Dan. He knows the next time he insulted 
you I'd kill him, and he'll think a long while before 
he tries anything like that. Here, take this 

quirt (Hands it to her.) If any one 

bothers you while I am gone, don't hesitate to 
strike. 

Sylvia. Thank you. Only — don't — ^be long. I must 
admit that my nerves are on edge. 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



RuFE. I'm sorry. (Regretfully.) Maybe I should 
have put a hole through him. 

Sylvia. With what — ^your quirt? 

RuFE (laughing). That's so — I'd forgotten I left my 
" weepon " at home. Quirt's as good as anything 
for Dan, though. Ordinarily, I'd have let him 
run his course — he gets a spell like this quite 
often — but I saw you and I don't want you to 
have a bad impression of our young and growing 
city. 

Sylvia. But he might have shot you ! 

RuFE. Oh, no — not to-day. He couldn't hit the 
side of a bam at ten feet, let alone a man. Now, 
I'm going to hunt up a vehicle. I'll be back in a 
jiffy. 

Sylvia. All right, Mr. Bronson — many thanks. 

(RuFE tips his hat. Exit, up l. Enter Mort from 
store. Goes to Sylvia, r.) 

Mort. I'm right sorry Dan annoyed you, miss. 
Sylvia. Oh, don't mention it any more, Mr. Milton. 
Mort. If I hadn't been an old codger with rheumatic 

j'ints, I'd 'a' took a hand in th' scrimmage myself. 
Sylvia. You did all you could, I'm sure. Is he 

recovering? 
Mort. Who, Dan? (She nods.) Oh, he's all right. 

I got him locked in th' ice chest, an* I don't reckon 

he'll make no trouble. 
Sylvia. But he'll suffocate. 
Mort. No danger o' that. Ventilation's mighty good. 

More apt tuh freeze. But you're tired. Why not 

sit down on th* bench and rest ? 
Sylvia. Thanks. (Sits on bench down r.) 

(Ainsley Gallitin comes in hurriedly from r. Sees 
Mort.) 

Ainsley. See here, Milton, have you seen > 

(Sees Sylvia.) Oh, there you are! 

(Comes down r. to her.) 
24 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



Sylvia {springing up). I'm glad to see you, Ainsley, 
(MoRT goes hack into store, up l.) 

Ainsley. Same here! {Starts to pull her closer — 

she holds back.) Oh, I say, now, aren't you 

going to kiss me? 
Sylvia. Why, you've no right to expect that ! 
Ainsley {boldly). When are you going to give me 

the right? 
Sylvia. Perhaps never. Let's not talk of that now. 

Ainsley. But 

Sylvia. Can't you see how nervous I am ? 
Ainsley. Nervous? What's the matter? 
Sylvia. Merely a scare. One of your villiage ruf- 
fians — a man named Hartley — insulted me. 

Ainsley. Insulted you? Why, I'll 

Sylvia. Oh, don't bother! He met his deserts, and 

is now locked in Mr. Milton's ice chest. 
Ainsley. Surely Mort Milton didn't tame the 

scoundrel ! 
Sylvia. No. He was tamed very effectively by 

your friend, Mr. Bronson. 
Ainsley {with a start). Bronson! Rufe Bronson! 
Sylvia. Well, really, I didn't ask his given name. 
Ainsley. He's no friend of mine. 

Sylvia. Oh, I thought 

Ainsley. How did you come to meet him? 
Sylvia. Why, I'm trying to tell you how he came to 

my aid and subdued Mr. Hartley. 
Ainsley. And you were not introduced? 
Sylvia. Of course not ! How silly ! 
Ainsley. It's not silly at all — and it's a good thing I 

came along. 
Sylvia. I don't believe I understand you, Ainsley. 
Ainsley. Why, you must leave this fellow Bronson 

alone. 

Sylvia. Leave him alone ? You mean 

Ainsley. He's an interloper — an unwelcome intruder 

in Mesa. 
Sylvia. I don't like to hear you say such things — 

he seemed very nice to me. 

25 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



Ai^^'Li^Y. But you must understand, Sylvia, that • 

Sylvia. I understand myself, and I am a very good 
judge of human nature. If I am not mistaken 
Mr. Bronson is every inch a gentleman. 

AiNSLEY. You're wrong. He 

Sylvia. Well, anyway, I like him very much. 

AiNSLEY. Why, he's not fit to touch the hem of your 
skirt. 

Sylvia. Don't be melodramatic, Ainsley! What 
have you against Mr. Bronson ? 

AiNSLEY. I hate him! 

Sylvia. That is evident. 

AiNSLEY. He came here and bought a plantation next 
to us, and has had the temerity to insist that he 
can raise better cotton. 

Sylvia {archly). Perhaps he can. 

AiNSLEY. Don't tantalize me! Just tell me when 
you'll marry me, and we'll let the Bronson matter 
drop. 

Sylvia. Are we to thrash that all out again? 

AiNSLEY. Yes. 

Sylvia. Then I wish I'd stayed in San Angelo. 

AiNSLEY. I want you to marry me at once. 

Sylvia. Don't talk nonsense. 

AiNSLEY. This isn't nonsense — to me! Now, lis- 
ten 

{They talk down r., he pleading, she growing more 
frigid. Mort comes out of store, l., just as enter, 
R., Hike, Gabe and Cal.) 

Hike. What was that shootin' a while ago, Mort? 
Mort. A little gun play by Dan Hartley. 

(Hike and his companions exchange glances. They 
go up c.) 

Hike. Did— did he shoot anybody? 

Mort {up l.). No, but it wasn't his fault. He tried 

to shoot Rufe Bronson. 
Hike {with feigned surprise). Well, what d'ye think 

of that! {Winks at Gabe and Cal.) Where's 

Dan now? 

26 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



MoRT. In my ice chest, sort o' laid out cold. 

Hike (looking around uneasily), Where's Bronson? 

MoRT. I reckon he's gone after a hoss an' buggy tuh 

take th' lady home. 
Hike (surprised). Lady? What lady? 
MoRT. Miss Eagan of San Angelo. 

(Jerks thumb r.) 

Hike. Miss Eagan is here, eh? Well, I'd like tuh 

meet her. 
Gabe (nudging him). Go interduce y'self, Hike. 
Hike. I believe I will. (Sound of wagon off R., 

mingled with voices.) Hello! Who's that? 

(MoLLiE Gallitin enters hurriedly, R.) Oh, 

good-momin', Miss Gallitin. 

(She gives him a contemptuous glance and, sweeping 
past him, goes up to Mort. Mort hows. ) 

MoLLiE. Have you seen anything of a young lady, 

Mr. Milton? 
Mort. I s'pose you mean Miss Eagan? There she 

is with your brother, Miss Mollie. 

(Points. At the same moment Sylvia sees her, 
jumps up and runs to her. They embrace. 
AiNSLEY seems to resent his sister's intrusion.) 

MoLLiE. You must excuse me for being late. I came 

near losing a wheel off the surrey. 
Sylvia. Accidents will happen, and I'm glad to see 

you now. 
AiNSLEY. You needn't have come, Mollie — I would 

have brought Sylvia home. 
MoLLiE. Well, I'm here now, and we'll both take her 

home. (AiNSLEY, with a curl of the lip, half 

turns away.) How about the mail, Mr. Milton? 
Mort. The afternoon mail ain't come up yet. 

(Hike and his cronies have been talking in under- 
tones up R. since his rebuff by Mollie. Hike 
now steps forward and tips his hat.) 
27 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



Hike. Miss Gallitin, I'd like a word with you. 

MoLLiE (frigidly). Well — what is it? 

Hike. We feel as though we oughta have an invite 

to th' dance to-morrow night. 
AiNSLEY (down R., angrily). Now, see here, May- 

nard 

Hike (turning on him). You keep out o' this. I'm 

addressin' your sister. 
MoLLiE. Had we wanted you at the dance, we should 

have invited you. (Turns away.) 
Hike (with a sneer). I suppose by that you mean 

we ain't good enough? 
AiNSLEY. Yes, that's exactly what she means! 
Hike. For the last time, you keep out o' this! (To 

MoLLiE.) There's altogether too much of this 

aristocracy business around here, and we've made 

up our minds to put a stop to it. 
MoLLiE. What do you mean? 

(Enter RuFE, up l.) 

Hike. That unless we git an invite tuh your dance 

and are treated same as your other guests, we'll 

be awful peevish, an' may cause some trouble. 
RuFE (confronting Hike). What do you mean by 

trouble, Maynard? 
Hike. Say, now you're buttin' in. This ain't none o' 

your business. 
RuFE. I'm making it my business. 
AiNSLEY. The Gallitins can attend to their own 

affairs, Bronson. 
MoLLiE (to AiNSLEY — rcprovingly) . Ainsley! 
RuFE (to Ainsley). When I start a thing I usually 

finish it. (To Hike.) Now, Hike, you hike! 
Hike (with a threatening move toward his hip 

pocket). I oughta fix you fer this, Bronson! 

(RuFE has his hand in his left coat pocket, so that 
what appears to he the barrel of a revolver is 
pointing toward Hike.) 

RuFE. Hold on! I've got you covered, and if you 

28 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



think I can't shoot straight through my pocket 
you just try to pull that gun! 

Hike. You've got th' drop on me this time. But 
wait — wait! Next time you'll have more than 
Dan Hartley tuh deal with. 

RuFE. Oh, so you put him up to that shooting 
business, did you? (Hike sneers.) I had my 
suspicions. Well, you know what happened to 
Dan, and it isn't impossible for you to get a 
similar dose. 

Hike. Don't brag! 

RuFE. Listen. Call it bragging if you will, but I 
mean business. I've had dealings with you and 
your gang ever since I've been in Mesa, and none 
of you ever got the best of me. You've lied to 
me, you've stolen from me, you've tried to have 
me shot. You've been pinning notices on my door 
lately, too. 

Hike. That's a lie ! 

RuFE. It's the truth! What is more, I know the 
name of every Gray Rider in the county, and the 
next man of the bunch that fools with me will be 
shot so full of holes he'll never know what hit 
him. I reckon we understand each other now. 
So you can beg Miss Gallitin's pardon I 

Hike. Not on your life ! 

RuFE. It's either that or the worst licking you ever 
had! 

Hike (as he hesitates) , Just one more score to settle 
with you! 

RuFE. I don't mind that. Beg her pardon! 
Quick! 

Hike (ungraciously). 1 — I beg your pardon, Miss 
Gallitin. 

MoLLiE. Well, it isn't granted ! 

Hike. I'll be even for this — even with all of you. 

RuFE. Well, clear out with your gang, there. You 
only contaminate the atmosphere of a peaceful 
village with your presence. 

(Goes R. toward Sylvia.) 
29 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXA8 



(Hike and the hoys talk in undertones as they with- 
draw slowly L. RuFE hows to Sylvia, and they 
talk, R. AiNSLEY clenches his teeth, with a black 
look at RuFE. Colonel Gallitin enters, up r., 
just as Hike, Gabe and Gal, hands on hack 
pockets, as if to draw their guns, start for Rufe. ) 

Hike. Now, you listen to us, Rufe Bronson 



Colonel {pistol in each hand — covering them). I 
reckon Mr. Bronson has no disposition to listen 
to such trash as you! 

Rufe (laughing). Ah, colonel, up to your old tricks ! 
(Hike and his cronies withdraw slowly, mutter- 
ing, L. Rufe goes up r. to Colonel.) Would 
you mind lending me one of your guns? 

Colonel. Sure, my boy, but you don't need two. 1*11 
keep 'em covered. 

Rufe. I don't need two, but I kinda feel the need of 
one! 

Ainsley. But what's that in your coat pocket? 

{Points.) 

Rufe {laughing). I had my finger pointing at May- 
nard. I — I left my gun at home ! 

{Takes the gun from Colonel's hand. Hike and his 
friends mutter, hut Rufe and Colonel keep them 
covered.) 



CURTAIN 



30 



ACT II 

Scene. — Sitting-room at Colonel Gallitin's. Doors 
up L., down L., and at r. Fireplace at l. Table 
and chairs down l. and couch and rocker down r. 
Bay window and seat up c. {may he omitted). 
Lighted lamp, magazines, newspapers, books on 
table, 

{At rise of curtain Mollie enters, l., and goes to 
table. She seems to be looking for something. 
Martha, the old negro servant, comes in at back, 
hears music, chuckles audibly. Mollie turns 
and smiles. ) 

Martha. Lawsee, it suah do soun* good tuh heah dat 
music. Wat's dey playin', Miss Mollie? 

(Comes down l.) 

Mollie. A good old Irish air, Martha — " Where the 
River Shannon Flows." 

(Another tune may be substituted if desired.) 

Martha. An' dey's dancin' to dat? 

Mollie. No; not enough here to dance yet. The 
orchestra is merely entertaining the guests. 

Martha. Whar's de new lady ? i 

Mollie. New lady? Oh, you mean Miss Eagan? 

Martha. Yas'm. 

Mollie. Oh, she's around somewhere. 

Martha. Dat gal suah is some stunner! 

Mollie (laughing). Yes, Sylvia is a remarkably 
pretty girl. 

Martha. Ree-markable don' 'gin tuh express it, Miss 
Mollie. She am as beau'ful as a lil' rosebud jes* 
bloomin* intuh a rose, er a ten-acre patch all 
cohered wif watahmelyuns. (Smacks her lips.) 

31 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



MoLLiE (still laughing) . Well, don't tell Miss Eagan 

that! 
Martha. Why not, Miss MoUie ? 

(MoLLiE goes r.) 

MoLLiE. She might not care to be compared to a 
watermelon patch. 

{Exit, R., laughing,) 

(Colonel enters, l., and takes newspaper from table.) 

Colonel. Bring my slippers, Martha. 
Martha. Yas'r — yas'r. 

(Exit, L. Colonel sits before the fireplace and 
spreads the paper out on his knees, feels for his 
spectacles, finds them, wipes them off with hand- 
kerchief and puts them on. Martha comes in 
h., with slippers and bootjack. Colonel pulls off 
his boots; she puts on his slippers, grunts and 
rises. ) 

Colonel. Now my pipe. 
Martha. Yas*r. 

(Gets it off of mantel and hands it to him. Enter 
Mrs. Gallitin, l.) 

Mrs. G. (as she sits r. of table). The Gray Riders 

were out again last night. 
Colonel. I'm not surprised. 
Mrs. G. Fm not surprised, either, but I think it's a 

terrible state of affairs. 
Colonel. They'll be regulated in due time by the 

sheriff. 
Mrs. G. I understand the sheriff is afraid to act. 
Colonel. That's merely a rumor. I know him — he 

has courage. 
Mrs. G. But if it should prove true. 
Colonel. I know the sheriff, I tell you. He's laying 

plans now to catch the offenders. Why worry, 

my dear — they haven't bothered us yet. 
Mrs. G. Well, I shan't feel safe a minute sinc^ that 

3i 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



incident at Milton's store yesterday. Hike May- 
nard usually keeps his word, and when he swears 
vengeance he usually wreaks it on some one. 

Colonel. I don't believe he'll bother any one in our 
neighborhood. Where were the Riders last 
night ? 

Mrs. G. At Tom Willoughby*s, over on the bayou 
road. It seems one of Tom's negroes stole some- 
thing from Milton's store a few days ago, at least, 
they think he did. The Riders demanded that 
Tom discharge him, and when Tom refused they 
entered the servants' quarters and took the negro 
out and flogged him. 

Colonel. Maybe he deserved it. 

Mrs. G. Well, what have we laws and courts for 
I'd like to know! 

Colonel. Yes, if Milton suspected any one of steal- 
ing his goods he should have sworn out a search 
warrant before he accused any one. 

Mrs. G. Hike Maynard claims they found some of 
the stolen goods in the negro's possession. 

Colonel. And what did the nigger say to that ? 

Mrs. G. Said he got it from some one else — another 
negro — and did not know it had been stolen. He 
offered to give it up, and the Gray Riders took 
it. But they flogged him just the same. 

(Martha enters l. and listens.) 

Colonel (rising and pacing back and forth up stage). 
There's no question but what we have some thiev- 
ing niggers around here. Yet there are white 
people around here just as mean or meaner. Who 
told you all this ? 

Mrs. G. Ainsley. 

Colonel. Where is he? 

Mrs. G. Out on the gallery. 

Colonel. If you're going out, tell him I w^ant to see 
him. 

Mrs. G, Very well. (Goes up and exit at hack.) 

Martha. Marse Kunnel, yo' doesn't *spect dat mx 
people am all thieves, does yer? 

33 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



Colonel. Well, I know that you are not, if that's 
any comfort. 

Martha. Dat suah am a pow'ful comfort, sah. 

Colonel. But some of the blacks are capable of 
anything. But at that, there's a court of law, and 
they should be tried and if guilty, punished. 

Martha. Yas'r, Marse Kunnel — ^you'se alius right. 

{Exit, L., shaking her head. Enter Ainsley, door 
at back.) 

Ainsley {rather sullenly). Want to see me? 

Colonel. Yes. Sit down. (Ainsley sits l. of 
table, facing his father. Colonel sits r. of 
table.) Who told you the Gray Riders were out 
last night? 

Ainsley. No one — I saw them. 

Colonel. You saw them? 

Ainsley. Yes. I went over to Tom Willoughby's 
to look at a horse. It was good and dark when I 
started home. I had reached a point in the timber 
by the bayou bridge when I heard horses coming 
like the wind from behind me. I thought it rather 
unusual, so I drew aside in the thick undergrowth. 
I had no sooner concealed myself than they flashed 
by like a streak. But it was moonlight, and I 
could make out their gray robes. 

Colonel. How many were there? 

Ainsley. Well, I should say eight or ten. I didn't 
have time to count them. 

Colonel. H'm! This is getting serious. 

Ainsley. Something will have to be done to stop 
it — that's sure. 

Colonel. But what? 

Ainsley. I don't know. 

Colonel. I suppose we'll have to rise up in sufficient 
numbers to put them down. I'll tell you what I 
think — if Hike Maynard were out of the way, the 
Gray Riders would soon cease to exist. 

Ainsley {turning away, rather uneasily). You think 
he's the leader? 

Colonel. I know it. And he has such a hold over 

34 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



his men that they do everything he says. He's 
got courage, and it's too bad he won't turn it to 
some decent account. There's only one man 
around here he's afraid of. 

AiNSLEY. You mean i^Pause.) 

Colonel. Rufe Bronson. 

AiNSLEY {disgusted). Huh! 

Colonel. One look from Rufe's eye seems to make 
Maynard hesitate. It doesn't exactly make a 
coward of him, but there is something about Rufe 
that Hike fears, and when one man feels toward 
another as he does toward Rufe, sooner or later 
he'll get what's coming to him — or he'll leave the 
country. 

AiNSLEY. Sandel and Wilson are sore on Rufe, too. 

Colonel. Why? Because he hired them to pick 
cotton, and discharged them when they got too 
lazy to earn their salt. 

AiNSLEY. Oh, they're a good-for-nothing lot, but 
Bronson's not much better himself. 

Colonel. Oh, come now 

(Erter Sylvia and Mollie, r. They come down R. 
Colonel and Ainsley rise. ) 

Mollie. What's the argument? 
Sylvia. Didn't I hear some one mention Mr. Bron- 
son? 
Colonel. Why, yes — we — that is 

(Throws a glance at Ainsley, who turns away.) 

Mollie (laughing). Oh, that's all right — keep your 
secrets. 

(Enter Mrs. Gallitin, at back. Comes down c.) 

Mrs. G. I wonder where Rufe Bronson is? 

(Sits R. of table.) 

Colonel. Hasn't he come yet?. 

35 



S03IEWHEBE IN TEXAS 



{Stands behind table.) 

MoLLiE. No, and he's usually so punctual. 

Sylvia. He's one of the most interesting men Fve 
met. How about it, Colonel Gallitin? 

Colonel. Who? Rufe? Well, I s'pose you're right. 

Sylvia. Tell me about him, won't you? I'm just 
dying for some information. 

Colonel. There's not much to tell beyond the fact 
that Rufe isn't overfond of cotton raising. His 
plantation was left as a heritage from his father, 
and he feels duty bound to uphold the family 
tradition for honest and faithful effort. That's 
why he's here. 

MoLLiE. What makes you think Rufe doesn't like 
cotton raising, papa? He never said anything 
about it to me. 

Colonel (laughing). And you thought he had told 
you everything, I suppose ? 

MoLLiE. No, I didn't mean that I (Pause.) 

Colonel. I came upon Rufe in a sort of a temper 
the other day, Miss Eagan. He'd figured it all out 
in his mind. He was a regular slave to King 
Cotton. I told him he had no cause for com- 
plaint. Then he said : " Now, look here, 
colonel — you've lived in Mesa all your natural 
life, peaceful and contented with what came your 
way. But I am younger than you, and I'm tired 
of these immutable conditions; drudgery day in, 
day out of the cotton planter without incident or 
emotion to lend it interest." I told him he ought 
to get married. " That would make no differ- 
ence," he said. " The days here are duller, the 
nights are duller. There is no interest after the 
sun has set, nothing to do, colonel, only ride over 
to your place for a chat, and to be frank with 
you," he said, " even that grows monotonous." 
(Laughs heartily.) Think of Rufe telling me to 
my face that our society grew monotonous, 
Mollie. 

MoLLiE. Just like him, though, isn't it, daddy? 

36 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



'AiNSLEY. Well, if Bronson isn't careful the Gray 
Riders will give him all the excitement he 
craves — and more. 

Sylvia. The Gray Riders? You make me shudder. 
Who are they ? 

Colonel. You had a good view of some of them 
down at Milton's store yesterday afternoon. 

Sylvia. Those men Mr. Bronson had trouble with — 
they were 

Colonel (nodding). Gray Riders— yes. 

MoLLiE. And they've sworn to kill Rufe, Sylvia. 

Sylvia. How dreadful ! How can you all take it 
so calmly? 

Colonel. No other way to take it. We must be 
prepared for the worst when the Gray Riders 
are out. 

Sylvia. They must be something like the Ku Klux 
Klan, of whom I've often heard my father speak. 

Colonel. No. The Ku Klux were a body of brave 
men who arose to avenge insults to womanhood 
and the wrongs of a rotten government during 
the reconstruction period in the South. They 
may have made mistakes but they tried to mete 
out justice with a fair and even hand. But the 
Gray Riders who infest this country are more 
like a band of White Caps, and do nothing but 
take revenge on people they dislike, be they white 
or black. 

Sylvia. Has Mr. Bronson earned their displeasure? 

Colonel. He has refused to mix with men of their 
class, for which I honor him. Then, too, he has 
discharged several of them from his plantation 
because they were too lazy to work. Now they 
seek vengeance, but they'll have to go some to 
get even with Rufe. 

MoLLiE. He's had two encounters with Maynard 
already, and Hike got the worst of it both times. 

Sylvia. And does Mr. Bronson live alone? 

Mrs. G. Yes, but he doesn't seem to mind it, except, 
as the colonel says, he gets lonesome sometimes. 
I think he lacks sociability. 

37 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



MoLLiE. Oh, mamma, you know better than that. 

Mrs. G. {laughing). Oh, I don't blame him, after 
you've refused him so many times. That would 
make any man unsociable. 

MoLLiE. Why, mamma, you don't realize what you're 
saying ! 

AiNSLEY. Well, you needn't be so careful — every- 
body knows it — if it's anything to be proud of ! 

Sylvia {sobering quickly). Then — then, I am to con- 
gratulate you, Mollie? 

MoLLiE. Of course not — it's nonsense! There is 
nothing between Mr. Bronson and myself. 

Mrs. G. Then it's not his fault. 

Colonel {laughing). Oh, let's change the subject. 
Pleasant weather to-night. 

Mrs. G. Well, you can change the subject, but I 
know what I know ! Ruf e Bronson — — 

{As she speaks the door at hack opens and Rufe 
enters hurriedly.) 

Rufe {gaily). Who calls Rufe Bronson? 

{Comes down c. and shakes hands with Colonel.) 

Mrs. G. {embarrassed). Oh — I — that is — we were 

wondering if you'd forgotten the dance. 
Rufe {laying his hat on the table) . No — only a little 

late — that's all. Which accounts for my rushing 

in unannounced. 
Colonel {slapping him on the shoulder). That's all 

right — perfectly proper — ^you'll always have a 

second home with us. 

(Rufe goes r. and greets girls.) 

Rufe {as he shakes hands with Sylvia). You're a 

witness to what he says. 
Sylvia. Am I to take it that you'd like to make your 

home here, Mr. Bronson? 
Rufe {surprised at her tone). Eh? Why — ^yes — of 

course. One would travel a long way to find a 

more hospitable family than the Gallitins. 
38 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



MoLLiE. A very pretty compliment, for whicK I 
thank you, Sir Knigiit. (Drops him a curtsey.) 

RuFE {as he discovers Ainsley standing down L.), 
Oh, hello! 

Ainsley (almost rudely). Good-evening! 

(Hurries up stage and exit, door at back.) 

(RuFE starts slightly at the rebuff, but quickly regains 
his composure. Mollie speaks quickly to relieve 
the situation.) 

Mollie. The dance will be beginning in a few min- 
utes, Rufe, and I made Sylvia reserve her first for 
you. 

Rufe. Say, you had the right idea ! I hope she hasn't 
entirely filled the rest of her card. 

Sylvia. All but one dance, and that I'm planning to 
sit out with somebody. 

Rufe. I'm somebody, and I claim to be a good sitter. 

( Offers an arm to each of the girls, and they go off R., 
laughing. Colonel looks after them, smiling. 
Comes down r.) 

Colonel. I can't help liking that boy. 

Mrs. G. Well, is there any reason why you should 
not like him ? 

Colonel. None — though Ainsley seems to find any 
number of them. 

Mrs. G. Oh, Ainsley is young, and doesn't under- 
stand matters. He looks on Rufe as an intruder 
in the community. 

Colonel. I was just wondering if Miss Eagan had 
anything to do with his most recent outburst. 
You know Ainsley was late getting to town yes- 
terday, and Rufe met Miss Eagan and saved her 
from insult at the hand of Dan Hartley. 

Mrs. G. I tell you Rufe's in love with Mollie. 

(Rises.) 

Colonel. Now, Jennie, listen to me. Rufe undoubt- 

39 



SOMEWHEBE IN TEXAS 



edly likes Mollie — but you mustn*t let your 
mother's eyes lead you astray. I'd wager my 
plantation that Rufe doesn't think of Mollie in 
the way you mean. 
Mrs. G. {crossing to door l.). Well, perhaps you're 
right — but he's missing the chance of his life — I 
know that. 

{Exit.) 

(Colonel, chuckling, settles down to read again in 
chair R. of table. Ainsley comes hurrying in 
at back. Comes down l.) 

Ainsley. Has he gone? 

Colonel {looking up). He? Who? 

Ainsley. Why, Bronson. 

Colonel. Gone into the other room. Say — ^what's 

the matter with you and Rufe? 
Ainsley. I don't like him. 
Colonel. I know that. 
Ainsley. He's trying to force his modem methods 

of raising cotton where they're not wanted. 
Colonel. His methods are good — a dam sight better 

than ours, I must admit. 
Ainsley. Well, who taught him? 
Colonel. Huh ! I don't know. 
Ainsley. He seems to think pretty well of himself. 
Colonel. Maybe he does — but I've never heard him 

bragging about it. 
Ainsley. Well, I can raise cotton as well as he can, 

and the methods of my father and grandfathers 

are good enough for me. 
Colonel. This is a progressive age. Bronson's check- 
ing of the boll weevil problem was a clever thing. 
Ainsley. What did he do ? Merely took some other 

feIlow*s brains, gave them a new twist and claimed 

the honors. 
Colonel. No use to argue with you — I see that. 
Ainsley. Not about Bronson. I can hardly keep my 

hands off his throat. 

40 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



Colonel. Look here — you're going too far. Rufe 
has never injured you — in fact, he has done his 
best to be friends. Now, I'm with you when 
you're right, but I'm against you when you're 
wrong, and this time you're wrong. 

AiNSLEY {flaring up), I'll show you before I'm 
through ! 

Colonel. No you won't. If you monkey with Bron- 
son, he'll probably turn you over his knee and 
paddle you — and I'm hanged if I can see how I 
can interfere! 

{Picks up paper and exit, R.) 

(AiNSLEY gazes after him, clenching and imclenching 
his hands. There is a knock at door at back. 
AiNSLEY starts, then going up, cautiously opens 
it. Enter Hike Maynard.) 

Hike. Well, here I am ! 
AiNSLEY {hand to lips), Sh! 

{Looks furtively about.) 

Hike. Say, what's the matter with yuh ? 

AiNSLEY. I don't want my folks to know I sent for 

you. 
Hike {with a sneer). Why? Think I'll disgrace 

yuh? 
AiNSLEY. It's not that. I've a proposition to make 

you. 
Hike {with a wise nod). Oh, I see. Well — spill it. 

Or perhaps we'd better go outside to talk. 
AiNSLEY. Not with this dance going on — too many 

people fooling around. We're safer here. 

(They move down stage. Ainsley stands down l. 
Hike sits in Colonel's easy chair, r. of table, 
lights a cigar and crosses his legs. Ainsley re- 
sents this, starts to speak about it, thinks better 
of it, and closes his lips.) 

41 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



Hike. Now, I'm ready to listen to anything you've 

got to say. 
AiNSLEY. What I've got to say I can say in a hurry. 

I want to get square with Rufe Bronson. 
Hike. Say, bo, is it possible that you an' me are goin' 

to agree right off the bat? So yuh don't like 

Rufe? 
AiNSLEY. I hate him! 
Hike. Nothing strange about that. I been hatin' 

him ever since I knew him. 
AiNSLEY. That's why I sent for you. 
Hike. You must have a plan. What is it ? 
AiNSLEY. I haven't a plan — that's the trouble. I 

just want to see him done for, that's all. 
Hike. Done for? Killed, d'ye mean? 
AiNSLEY. No, no — we can't go as far as that ! 
Hike (with a sneer). Kinda chicken-hearted, eh? 
AiNSLEY. I just want to run him out of the country. 
Hike. Disgrace him, too, mebbe, eh? 
AiNSLEY. Say, do you know anything about him? 
Hike. I know he's a bad guy tuh fool with, but I 

been handlin' bad ones all my life. 
AiNSLEY. Well, what can you do? How can you 

get rid of him? 
Hike. I might frame up a story — make him out a 

villain, or somethin' like that. 
AiNSLEY. The story would have to stand the acid 

test. 
Hike. Acid test? What's that? 
AiNSLEY. I mean, you'd have to be able to prove any 

charges you made. 
Hike. That's easy. I was just thinkin* the other day 

of a little plan. I been waitin' fer the right time 

tuh spring it. 
AiNSLEY. What is it ? 
Hike. Well, before I go intuh details, mightn't it be 

well fer us tuh come tuh terms ? 
AiNSLEY. Oh, I don't expect you to work for nothing. 
Hike, Not as long as your daddy's got th' coin, eh? 
AiNSLEY. Say, leave my father out of this. 
Hike. Oh, don't worry — I can keep a secret. 

42 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



AiNSLEY. I'm not afraid of your telling any one. 

And it's none of my father's business what I do 

with my money. 
Hike. You said a mouthful then. 
AiNSLEY. ril give you a hundred dollars the day 

Rufe Bronson leaves Mesa. 
Hike. Oh, no! 
AiNSLEY. What's the matter ? 
Hike. In the first place a hundred is not enough ; in 

the second place, th' money's gotta be paid in 

advance. 
AiNSLEY. Well, we won't quarrel about that. 
Hike. My price is two hundred — not a cent less. 
AiNSLEY. How do I know you'll get him out of the 

way? 
Hike. Listen — when I put this scheme through there 

won't be no comeback. He'll be gone from these 

parts like a houn' dog chased by a pack o' wolves. 
AiNSLEY. What's your scheme? 
Hike. Sure you was tuh know about it ? 
AiNSLEY. What do you mean? 
Hike {rising, goes to Ainsley). If you ain't to 

figger in th' transaction, hadn't you better leave 

it strictly up to th' Gray Riders ? 
Ainsley. The Gray Riders ? You mean 

{Pause.) 

Hike. Sure! The Gray Riders are goin' tuh git 

your friend, Mr. Bronson. 
Ainsley. But remember, no violence! 
Hike. Oh, we ain't plannin' him no physical harm. 

But if he catches th' dickens after he gits out o' 

our hands, don't blame us. 
Ainsley. All right. {Pulls out wallet.) Here's the 

money. {Hands it to Hike.) 
Hike. Want a receipt ? 
Ainsley. No ; your word is enough. 
Hike {grinning). I see — a gentleman's agreement. 
Ainsley {starts to make an angry retort, hut thinks 

better of it). Well — don't lose any time. 

43 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



Hike. How long is this here dance goin' to hold? 
AiNSLEY. Oh, for several hours yet. 
Hike. Then don't be surprised if something happens 
t'-night. {Goes up to door at back.) S'long! 

{Waves a hand at Ainsley. Exit,) 

(AiNSLEY stands down L., thinking. Slowly he 
clenches his fists, then a light of triumph appears 
in his eyes. He drops into chair at l. of table 
and brings his hand down with a resounding 
thump. ) 

THE CURTAIN DESCENDS TO DENOTE THE LAPSE OF TWO 
HOURS 



{As curtain rises again on same scene, the stage is 
empty. Rufe and Sylvia, laughing, enter, r.) 

RuFE {leaning over and seizing Sylvia's hands as she 

sits on couch, r.). Now, IVe got you where I 

want you ! 
Sylvia {withdrawing her hands). You mustn't do 

that! 
RuFE. Why? 

Sylvia. Why, youVe only known me two days ! 
RuFE {ardently). Seems like I'd known you all my 

life. 
Sylvia. What a pretty compliment. 
RuFE. Pretty girls deserve pretty compliments. 
Sylvia. Oh, come, now ! 
RuFE. How long would I have to know you to 

{Pause.) 

Sylvia. To— what? 
Rufe. Don't you know? 

Sylvia {letting her eyes fall). Of course not. 
Rufe. Well, how long would I have to know you 
to — to ( Pause. ) 

44 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



Sylvia, Weil? 

RuFE. To — to — that is — I mean — to — to love you — 
no, no — that's not what I mean, for I love you 
now 

Sylvia. Why, Mr. Bronson! 

RuFE. Can't you call me Rufe? 

Sylvia. What — after two days? 

Rufe. Why don't you try it just to see how it feels? 

Sylvia {laughing). Well — all right — Rufe. 

Rufe {proudly). Now, there's class to your con- 
versation ! 

Sylvia. You don't think me bold ? 

Rufe. Of course not. It isn't how long you've 
known me, but how you met me. 

Sylvia. That's so — and I met you 

Rufe. You met me on the village square — the sky 
was blue and your eyes were too — the weather 
was fair, and so was your hair 

Sylvia {laughing). Then a man got gay and you 
chased him away! {Rises.) 

Rufe. Fine — but seriously, now, can't we — er 

(Pause.) 

Sylvia. Oh, don't! 
Rufe. Don't what? 
Sylvia. You're the first man w^ho has ever looked at 

me with such tantalizing eyes. 
Rufe. You're jollying me now. 
Sylvia. You think you're not the first? 
Rufe. If I am all the others were fools ! 
Sylvia. Why, Mr. Bronson! 
Rufe. Rufe ! 
Sylvia. Well— Rufe ! 
Rufe. Will you marry me? 
Sylvia. Oh, this is so sudden! 
Rufe. Please be original — that's what the girls in 

the newspaper jokes all say. 
Sylvia. Of course, if you really mean what you 

say {Pause — she looks away.) 

Rufe (eagerly). Yes — if I mean what I say — 

you'll 

45 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



Sylvia (laughing). I'll box your ears and send you 
on your way. 

RuFE. That'll be all right, if you'll promise to marry 
me. 

Sylvia. Please be serious. 

RuFE. I am. 

Sylvia. Oh, I don't mean about marriage. 

RuFE. Oh, come— let's be serious about marriage. 

Sylvia. No ; let's not. 

RuFE. I've never met a girl just like you. 

Sylvia. That's because I have no twin. 

RuFE. You know what I mean. 

Sylvia. How many times have you made these pretty 
speeches to other girls ? 

RuFE. Never! You're the first girl I ever really 
cared for. 

Sylvia. If you must reveal the secrets of your past, 
please be truthful. 

RuFE. On my honor ! 

Sylvia. But I know nothing about you. 

RuFE. What do you want to know? 

Sylvia. Oh, I meant no offense! 

RuFE. You can't offend me. I'll give you an ac- 
counting of every minute since I left the nursing 
bottle. 

Sylvia {laughing). You're so funny ! 

RuFE. Then laugh, but while you're laughing, say 
you'll marry me. 

Sylvia. I think I'd better be getting back to the ball- 
room. (Starts.) 

RuFE. Don't go I 

(Seizes her hand. She makes an effort to withdraw 
it. He refuses to let go. She finally sighs and 
allows it to remain in his hand.) 

Sylvia. You're hurting my hand. 
RuFE. Sorry. It's only because I love you. 
Sylvia. Do you hurt the things you love ? 
RuFE. No ; and I'm not hurting you. You only want 
an excuse to get away. 
46 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



(They look at each other a moment. She smiles, he 
smiles, then both hurst into a hearty laugh.) 

Sylvia. I'll stay as long as you wish. 
RuFE. Then I'll 

(As he leans toward her, Ainsley comes quickly in at 
hack. They separate, hut not he fore he has 
caught the drift of things.) 

Sylvia. Come in, Ainsley. 

{He comes down to them slowly.) 

Ainsley {with a sneer). Don't let me interrupt your 

tete-a-tete. 
Sylvia {flushing). I don't know what you mean! 
Ainsley. I suppose you think I haven't eyes. 
Sylvia. I don't like your tone. 
Ainsley {nodding toward Rufe). Then you can 

thank him for what I've said. 
Rufe. See here, Ainsley, you're carrying things too 

far! 
Ainsley. Am I ? Perhaps you'll stop me. 
Rufe. I know you don't like me, but that is no reason 

for your taking such an arrogant tone with Miss 

Eagan. 
Ainsley. If Miss Eagan knew you as well as I do 

she wouldn't blame me. 
Sylvia. Mr. Bronson is an invited guest in your 

home, Ainsley, and under the circumstances your 

remarks are quite out of place. 
Ainsley. I don't care if they are — I don't care what 

you think! 
Rufe. Well, remember this — the affairs of Miss 

Eagan and myself do not concern you in the least. 
Ainsley. Then I'll make them my concern! I'm 

not going to stand here and hear you say that 

{He is interrupted by a heavy knock on door at back. 
There is a slight pause, then Ainsley runs up and 
throws open the door. Hike, Gabe and Cal, 

47 



SOMEWHERE JN TEXAS 



attired as Gray Riders, enter. Cal carries rope. 
Hike has a whip. Sylvia screams,) 

Sylvia (to Rufe). It's you, Rufe — they're after you, 
RuFE. Don't worry about me. 

(MoLLiE runs in R., Colonel, Mrs. G. and Martha l. 
AiNSLEY sulks up c. HiKE coMcs down c. and 
faces Rufe. Colonel goes up to Hike.) 

Colonel. What do you mean by this unwarranted 

intrusion ? 
Hike {pointing to Rufe). The lady was right — 

we've come for him ! 
Colonel. Well, you'll never touch him while he is 

under the Gallitin roof. 
Hike. Don't fool yourself. We'll take him when 

we're ready. 
Colonel. I demand an explanation of your presence 

here! 
Hike. Oh, we're goin* tuh give you that. I take it 

you're not anxious to number snakes among your 

friends. 
Colonel. " Snakes " ? What do you mean by that ? 
Hike. I mean that the Gray Riders are death on 

snakes, and there's one viper that's going to git 

his t'-night. 
Colonel. I don't understand what you mean. 
Hike. Say, you know Mary Harvey, don't you ? 

Colonel. Mary Harvey. {Thinks.) You mean 

Hike. The daughter of ole Lige Harvey, who lives 

on the mountain back there. 
Colonel. I know them — yes. But what have they 

to do with your presence in my house ? 
Hike {with a grin). Ah— thereby hangs a tale! 
Colonel. Come, come! My patience won't last 

much longer. 
Hike. Do you remember the man, Hackett, who come 

intuh th' mountains two years ago an' insulted 

Mary Harvey and killed her brother, Ben ? 
Colonel. Why, yes, I remember the incident well. 

ButstillT 

48 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



Hike. Colonel, if you met this man Hackett face to 

face what would you do? 
Colonel. I'd thrash him if I knew he was a guilty 

man. 
Hike. I thought you would! {Hands him a whip.) 

Well, it's about time for you to begin ! 
Colonel. What do you mean? 
Hike. I mean that the man who insulted Mary 

Harvey an' killed her brother Ben stands there. 

{Points to K\]¥^.) He's Hackett! 
Rufe {surprised at the accusation). Why, you don't 

know what you're talking about I 
Colonel. Just keep calm, my boy. {To Hike.) 

Don't you realize that you can't make such accusa- 
tions without proof? 
Hike. It happens I've got all the proof you want. 
Rufe. See here, Maynard — what's your game? 
Hike. Fair play fer every one — it's the motto of the 

Gray Riders. 
Rufe. But you must have some reason for trying to 

tack this story on to me. 
Hike. We're tacking it onto you because you're a 

guilty man, 
Rufe. That's not it — there's something behind all 

this. 
Hike. Weil, when ole Lige Harvey gits his hands on 

yuh you won't feci quite so sassy. 

Colonel. Surely you're not going to 

Hike {pistol in hand). Goin' to take him tuh Lige's 

cabin — yes. Lige has been waitin' fer two years 

tuh meet him. 
Rufe. Your story is a tissue of falsehoods. Why, 

Colonel Gallitin and the others all know I've been 

in Mesa only two months, and that before I came 

I never saw the place in my life. 
Hike. But you took a huntin' trip down this way two 

years ago, under th' name o' Hackett, an' that's 

when all this happened. 
Rufe. I tell you I've never been near this place till 

two months ago. 
Colonel. I believe he speaks the truth. 

49 



SOMEWHERE JN TEXAS 



Hike. Well, colonel, when Lige Harvey gits through 

with him, if there's anything left o* Mr. Bronson, 

he's yours. {To Rufe.) Now, come along! 
RuFE. I refuse! 
Sylvia. Of course he refuses! He is innocent of 

these charges. Aren't you, Rufe? 
Rufe. Of course. I tell you there's something 

strange behind all of this. It's some scheme of 

Maynard's for revenge. 
Hike. It's a scheme tuh see fair play. We've sus- 
pected you fer some time, but we waited till we 

got our proof. 
Rufe. If you have the proofs you talk about now is 

the time to produce them. 
Hike. Oh, no — we're goin' to let Lige Harvey do 

that. Come along! 
Sylvia (to Ainsley). Please do something — don't 

let them take him away ! 
Ainsley {with a shrug) . If you ask me, he deserves 

whatever punishment Lige Harvey wants to give 

him. 
Sylvia. You don't mean that you believe this absurd 

story ? 
Ainsley. Yes. {Turns away.) 
Hike. Tie his hands. 



(Gabe and Cal seize Rufe, tie his hands and lead him 
up toward door.) 

Sylvia. Won't somebody save him? You, colonel! 

Colonel. He's got the drop on me, Miss Eagan — 
perhaps it will be best to let matters take their 
course. 

Sylvia. Oh, how I wish I were a man ! 

Rufe {to Hike). All right, Maynard, I'll go to Lige 
Harvey's with you. I don't know Harvey, and he 
doesn't know me, but there must be some sense of 
justice in his heart, and when he's through with 
me, look out, for I'm going to get you and get you 
good ! 

50 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



{They lead him out hack. Sylvia falls sobbing on 
couch, R. MoLLiE and Mrs. G. run to her. 
Colonel gravely shakes his head, while Ainsley 
smiles sneeringly.) 



CURTAIN 



51 



ACT III 

Scene. — Cabin of Lige Harvey. Door up c. Win- 
dow up L. (may be omitted). Fireplace mantel 
L. Table and chairs and cupboard up r. Bench 
down R. Dishes and lamp on table. Pistol in 
holster hanging at mantel. Stool with pail of 
water up c, near door, and nail over it to hang 
dipper on. 

{At rise of curtain Mary Harvey is discovered at fire- 
place, L., dipper in hand, dipping water from 
kettle into a coffee-pot. She pauses, thinking, 
puts the pot down in front of the fireplace. Her 
lower lip trembles, indicating that she is laboring 
under some unusual emotion. There is a noise 
off R. She jumps, then, recollecting herself, picks 
up coffee-pot and takes it to table, r. There is a 
slight pause, then Lige Harvey enters r. He 
carries a shotgun, and there is a grim look on his 
face. Mary gives him a half-scared glance, and 
turns away.) 

Lige {roughly). Well? 

Mary. Your coffee is on the table, dad. 

{Hangs dipper on wall up c.) 

Lige. I don't want it. 

Mary. But you said {Comes down i.,) 

Lige. Fve changed my mind! {He goes up stage, 
pulls rough curtain aside at window and peers 
out.) They oughta be here by now. (Mary 
starts, but is silent.) I say, they oughta be here 
by now. 

,-Mary. I heard you. 

Lige {turning on her) . What's the matter with you ? 

Mary. N-n-nothing. 

Lige. Seems to be. You've lost your git-up-an'-git. 

52 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



(Comes down c.) 

Mary (l.). I'm sorry. 

LiGE. You ain't half as sorry as I am. You oughta 

be glad Hike Maynard's discovered this yaller- 

livered scoundrel. 

Mary. Of course I'm glad, but (Pause.) 

LiGE. But what? 

Mary. Are you sure it's the right man ? 

LiGE. The right man? Of course. Hike Maynard 

don't make no mistakes. 
Mary. I dunno. 
LiGE. Well, what do ye know? 
Mary. I dunno. 
LiGE. You make me tired! If I was you Td wanta 

git my fingers intuh Hackett's face an' claw his 

eyes out. 
Mary. I thought Hike said this feller's name was 

Bronson ? 
LiGE. That's his right name. He jest moved on a 

plantation down Mesa w^ay two months ago. 

When he was here two year ago he went by the 

name o' Hackett — at least that's what you an' 

Ben told me — I never seen him. Hike was the 

only feller that seen Hackett after he shot Ben. 

He wouldn't lie about a thing like that. 
Mary. I dunno. 
LiGE. Well, when this feller was here he told you his 

name was Hackett, didn't he? 
Mary. Yes. 

LiGE. An' like a blame fool, you believed him. 
Mary. Yes — I believed him. 
LiGE. As if a feller brought up rich like him would 

ever be decent to mountain folks. 
Mary. I don't care fer myself — it's his killin' Ben. 
LiGE. Kinda riles yuh, don't it? Well, it oughta. 

(Clenching his hands.) Wait till I git my hands 

on th' scoundrel's throat. 
Mary (with considerable spirit). You ain't goin' to 

do nothin', dad, till I've seen him. 

(Goes to him, c.) 
53 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



LiGE. No, 'course I ain't — ^but after that 



{His fingers close caressingly about the shotgun.) 

Mary. Hike may 'a' made a mistake. 

LiGE. Ain't no chance, I tell yuh. 

Mary. I dunno. 

LiGE. Hike's got eyes, an' he saw Hackett when he 

was gittin' out o' these parts two year ago. 
Mary. I dunno. 
LiGE. Gee, but Hackett's got his nerve tuh come back 

here an' settle down under another name. 
Mary. It don't seem natural. 
LiGE. You're right — it don't. 
Mary. Ain't no human bein', no matter how omary, 

goin' tuh do that, dad. 
LiGE. Aw ! 

(His tone indicates that she doesnH know what she is 
talking about.) 

Mary. Nope — it ain't natural. 

LiGE. Well, you take a good look at this feller, an* 

then you give it to me straight. 
Mary. I ain't never lied to you, have I ? 
LiGE. No, an' I don't want yuh to, 'cause I ain't never 

laid hands on a woman yit. 
Mary. No, an' yuh ain't goin' to — not if th' woman's 

me! 
LiGE. Well, jest remember, Mary, this feller shot my 

boy — your brother — down in cold blood. 
Mary. I ain't likely tuh f ergit. 
LiGE (in a whining tone). Killed him in cold blood — 

d'ye hear me — cold blood ! 
Mary. Shut up! You make me see it like it was 

yisterday. (Fists clenched.) 
LiGE. That's th' way 1 want yuh to see it. 
Mary (half to herself). In cold blood! 

(Her face takes on a ferocious expression.) 

(Sound of hoofs comes from a distance, growing 
louder. They listen, and exchange glances.) 

54 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



LiGE. Yuh hear? 

Mary (in a hoarse whisper). It's them! 

LiGE (pointing r.). You git in there an' don't yuh 

show your face till I call ye. 
Mary. But you'll call me, dad — you'll call me? 
^LiGE. Oh, I'll call yuh all right, an' then Mister Bron- 

son, or Hackett, or whatever his name is, will 

have tuh reckon with th' Harveys. It's an eye 

f er an eye, an' a tooth f er a tooth ! 

(Hoof beats grow louder and pause outside. There 
is the sound of voices off at back. Mary, with 
a quick intake of the breath, hurries out r., closing 
door. LiGE, a determined look on his face, seizes 
his gun and going up flings open door at back.) 

Hike (in doorway). We've got him! 

LiGE. Bring him in! (Comes down r.) 

Hike (turning to Gabe and Cal). Bring him in, 

boys, an' yuh needn't be too gentle when yuh 

handle a snake. 

(Gabe and Cal bring Rufe in, and give him a push 
down c, where Lige faces him. Rufe's hands 
are tied behind his back. There is a slight pause 
as they glare at each other.) 

Rufe (c). Don't you know me, Harvey ? I'm Rufe 
Bronson. 

(Hike, Gabe and Cal come down L.) 

Lice (r.). That's what you say! 

Rufe. Investigate my record, and you'll find that 

I've never been in Mesa till two months ago. 
Lice. Hike Maynard says your name's Hackett, an* 

that it was you who killed my boy. 
Rufe. He lies ! 
Lice. I've known Hike all my life, an' I ain't never 

known him to tell no lie. 
Rufe. Well, he's told you one now. 
Lige. Hike was the only human bein' who saw 

55 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



Hackett after he killed my Ben an' insulted my 
Mary, an' if he says you're Hackett — that settles 
it — ^you're Hackett! 

RuFE. You're doing me an injustice, Harvey, as 
you'll learn to your regret. 

LiGE. I ain't much of a hand at regrettin', 

RuFE. Well, you'll regret this! 

LiGE. About th' only thing I ever regretted much 
was that I couldn't git a-hold o' Hackett after he 
put my boy away, but it looks like everything 
comes tuh him that waits. 

RuFE. If I were really this man Hackett, or had 
posed under that name, it would be different. If 
he did what you say he did, he deserves any pun- 
ishment you can give him. But my name is 
Bronson, and If you'll take the trouble to investi- 
gate, you'll find that I wasn't in this part of the 
country two years ago. 

LiGE. I don't expect no skunk like Hackett to admit 
that he was ever here before, but there's one test 
that'll tell the tale. 

RuFE. I'm ready for it ! 

LiGE. Yuh don't even ask what it is. 

RuFE. I don't care what it is — I tell you, I'm ready! 

Hike {to Lige). Yon mean {Pause.) 

LiGE {nodding). Mary! 

Hike {uneasy). D'ye think she oughta see him? 

Lige. See him? Why, she's gotta see him. 

Hike. But wouldn't it be better tuh take him out an' 
shoot him an' let her see him afterwards? 

Lige. I dunno — I hadn't thought much about that. 

RuFE. I'll settle this. Bring Miss Harvey in. 

Lige {surprised). You mean yuh wanta see her — 
an' want her tuh see you ? 

Rufe. Yes — she will tell you that I'm riot the man 
you seek. 

Lige. Well, you got some nerve, Hackett, or what- 
ever your name is. Don't you s'pose Mary'U 
recognize you ? 

Rufe. If I'm willing to take the chance, you should be. 

Hike. Don't listen to him, Lige — he's jest makin' a 

56 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



grand-stand play. Do what I tell yuh — take him 

out an' shoot him first. 
RuFE {turning on him). You keep out of this, May- 

nard — it will be your turn next. 
Hike. When Lige gits through with you, I'm willin' 

tuh take my chances with whatever' s left. 
RuFE {to Lige). I demand to see Miss Harvey! 

(Mary steps suddenly in r. She stops as she sees 
RuFE, and her lip trembles slightly.) 

Mary (r.). Some one called Miss Harvey — that's 
me! 

RuFE (c). I called you, Miss Harvey. These men 
insist that I came here under the name of Hackett 
two years ago, killed your brother and insulted 
you. Take a good look at me and tell them 
frankly if you have ever seen me before to-night. 

Lige {down r.). Yes, take a good look, Mary — an* 
then you tell us straight ! 

(Mary slowly approaches Rufe, looking him in the 
eye. He does not flinch. There is a slight pause 
as a sneer curls her lips.) 

RuFE. Have you made up your mind? 

Mary. Yes. 

Lige. Well? 

Mary. I don't know if he's Hackett or Bronson, but 

I do know he's the man who insulted me two years 

ago! 
RuFE {astounded). What! 
Lige {grimly). I hope you're satisfied now, Mister 

Bronson ! 
RuFE. I am not satisfied. Miss Harvey is joking, 

and a joke at this time seems unjust — to me. 

(Mary turns away.) Tell them, Miss Harvey, 

that you don't mean what you say. This is a 

serious matter. 
Mary {turning on him) . I said it, an' I say it again — 

you're th' man that insulted me two year ago ! 
RuFE. Oh, come, now 

57 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



LiGE. I reckon that's enough! {To Hike.) Go 
about your business, Maynard, an' leave this man 
tuh me! 

Hike. All right, Lige, but we'll be back later tuh see 
that your work's well done. {In front of Rufe.) 
An' in case there's anything left tuh do, we'll finish 
th' job! Good-night, Mr. Rufe Bronson, alias 
Hackett. ( With a harsh laugh he goes up stage, ) 
Come on, boys! An' don't fergit, Lige — we're 
comin' back. 

{Exeunt Hike, Gabe and Gal. Hoof heats outside, 
receding and finally dying out.) 

Lige {his gun ready). It's about time fer you tuh 

say your prayers, Bronson. 
Rufe. Now, listen to me — this affair has gone far 

enough. 
Lige. Not far enough fer me I 
Rufe. I tell you I am not the man you seek. As for 

your daughter, she is either laboring under a 

delusion, or is concerned in a scheme for my 

downfall. 
Mary. I ain't laborin' under no delusion. I know 

what I know ! 
Lige. She's th' court o' last resort with me. That's 

why I tell you — say your prayers. 
Rufe. You'll never get me without a struggle, Har- 
vey. I wasn't born to submit peacefully to an 

injustice like this. 
Lige. Fine speeches won't git you nothin'. {Raising 

gun.) I'm goin' to 

Mary {running between them). Wait! 

Lige {lowering gun). What's the matter? 

Mary. I've always been a good girl to yuh, ain't I, 

dad? 

Lige. Why, yes. What 

Mary. Then I want tuh ask a favor of yuh, now. 
Lige. Yuh ain't goin' tuh ask me tuh let him off? 
Mary. No; I jest want th* pleasure o* shootin' him 

myself I 

53 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



LiGE (admiringly). That's th' way I like tuh hear 
yuh talk ! But what about th' sheriff ? You can't 
own up to th' crime. 

Mary. Wait till later, dad, an' I'll tell yuh about 
that. Gimme th' gun! {Takes it out of his 
hands.) Now, you go in there. {Points R.) 
An' don't you disturb my party till you hear me 
shoot. {Aims at Rufe.) 

LiGE. Gal, yuh got pluck! I'm proud of yuh! If 
you want me, yell ! 

RuFE {to Lige). Are you going to stand by and see 
me murdered ? 

Lige. I'm goin' to let my little gal take th' law intuh 
her own hands with th' man who insulted her an* 
killed my Ben. {To Mary.) You shoot him, 
honey — an' don't yuh miss! 

{Exit, R.) 

Rufe (indignantly). How can you stand for a thing 
like this ? 

Mary. I ain't goin' tuh stand fer it! {Lowers gun.) 

Rufe. What ! You 

Mary. I know you ain't Hackett. 

Rufe. But you said 

Mary. Yes, I said it, 'cause if I hadn't dad would 'a' 
said I was lyin' to shield yuh, an' then he'd 'a' 
killed yuh anyhow. 

Rufe. You've a wise head, Miss Harvey. 

Mary. Well, I ain't nobody's fool, an* I ain't goin' 
tuh see no innocent man suffer fer somethin' he 
never done. (She unties his hands.) 

Rufe. I must escape. You'll help me ? 

Mary. Yes; that's why I got dad out o' th* way. 
But we must give them Gray Riders time tuh git 
down th' mountain. I guess Hike Maynard's 
peeved at somethin' you done. 

Rufe. I discharged him from my plantation for lazi- 
ness, and he's sworn to be revenged. But I never 
suspected he'd trump up a charge like this. 

Mary. Hike was th' only feller who seen Hackett 

59 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



after he killed Ben, an' that's what makes dad so 

certain. An' he jest wouldn't 'a' took my word. 
RuFE. I hardly know how to thank you. 
Mary. Aw, yuh needn't try. I ain't done much. 
RuFE. It's a strange old world. A moment ago 

everything looked dark. 
Mary. Things alius looks dark to me. 
RuFE. I'm sorry. 
Mary. Yuh needn't be. I'm doomed tuh live an' die 

here in this cabin, jest like th' other Harvey s have 

done before me. 
RuFE. If I ever get a chance to help you, I'll come 

back. 
Mary. Say, you better make tracks out o' this coun- 
try before Hike Maynard gits yuh. Take my 

advice. 
RuFE. And after I'm gone, you'll tell your father the 

truth? 
Mary. I'll do all I kin, you bet on that ! 
LiGE (off R., impatiently). What's th' matter, Mary? 
Mary {running quickly to door r.). Now, you stay 

where you are. I'm jest recallin' a few things tuh 

Mister Bronson's mind. Remember, this is my 

party — you're through ! 
LiGE (dissatisfied). Oh, all right — I'm leavin' it tuh 

you. 
Mary (softly, to Rufe). You'll have tuh go. 
RuFE. I'm willing. 

(He starts up stage. , The sound of hoof beats comes 
again from off at back. They pause, listening, 
and exchange glances.) 

Mary. Somethin's wrong — Hike's comin' back ! 

Rufe. Well — he said he would ! 

Mary. Yes, but he didn't mean so quick. 

Rufe. Where can I hide? 

Mary. I don't know of no place. What'll we do 

now? 
Rufe. Only one thing I can see — you'll have to tell 

the truth and try to make it stick. If you can 
60 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



square it with your father, I'll undertake to make 
Maynard like it. 

Mary. I'll do all I kin, Mister Bronson — I'll do all 
I kin ! (Runs to fireplace and gets a pistol out of 
holster hanging there. ) Here — you take this ! 
{Hands it to him.) If I don't make it stick, you 
shoot, an' shoot tiih kill. You start on Hike, an' 
leave dad tuh me! {Fingers gun caressingly.) 

RuFE {admiringly). You're a great Httle girl ! 

Mary. Maybe I am, an' maybe I ain't, but them 
words sounds good tuh me! 

{Hoof heats pause outside. Rufe, down L., examines 
the pistol. Mary goes up r. and stands, gun 
poised ready for action. Enter quickly at hack 
Colonel, Ainsley, and Sylvia. At the same 
moment Lige enters r.) 

Rufe {down l.) Well, this is a surprise! 
Colonel (c). Thank heaven we arrived in time! 

{Unties Rufe's hands.) 

Sylvia {running to Rufe). They haven't harmed 

you? 
Rufe. Not yet. 

Lige (r. ) . What d'ye mean by intrudin' on my place ? 
Colonel. I'm Colonel Gallitin. 
Lige. I know ye by sight. 

Colonel. There's been a grave mistake made here. 
Lige {indicating Rufe). Yuh mean about him? 
Colonel. Yes. 
Lige. Ain't no mistake 'at I kin see. 

(Mary comes down r. c. to Lige.) 

Mary. But there is, dad — there is ! 

Lige. But a while ago yuh said 

Mary. I said this man was th' one that insulted me, 
but he ain't. I ain't never seen him before 
t'-night. I was afraid you'd think I was lyin' to 
yuh an' shoot him down. 
6i 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



LiGE. Somebody's got tuh do some explainin' here. 

Colonel. I'm prepared to do that. {Grasping Ki^s- 
LEY hy the arm and puUing him forward.) 
Here's the scamp that's responsible for the whole 
affair. (To Ainsley.) Now, you talk, and talk 
quick ! 

Ainsley (l. c, shamefacedly). It's all my fault. 
(To RuFE.) I'm sorry, Bronson. I never liked 
you, but I didn't realize I could ever go as far as 
this. My conscience hurt me after I paid Hike 
Maynard to fake up this Hackett story. I couldn't 
stand it, so — I — I told my father. (To Lige.) 
It was a mistake, Harvey — Bronson has never 
been near Mesa till two months ago. He had 
never heard of the Hackett matter till Maynard 
accused him at our house to-night. 

Lige. Well, of all the low-down dirty tricks, you've 
pulled th' worst I ever heard ! 

Ainsley. That's enough. I'm sorry. What more 
can a fellow say? 

Rufe (extending hand). No more. Let's forget 
it — and be friends 1 

Ainsley. That suits me. (Grasps Rufe's hand,) 

Lige (to Rufe). Stranger, looks like we mighty near 
put yuh under th' sod fer somethin' yuh didn't do. 
(Crosses l. to Rufe and extends his hand.) I'm 
sorry to — will you accept this? 

Rufe. With pleasure. (They shake.) 

Lige. That Hike Maynard is a cur — I see it now. 
Wait till I git my hands on him. 

Colonel. Too late, Harvey. On the way up here 
we met the sheriff and his posse leading Hike and 
his friends to jail. Caught 'em in the mountains. 
Got proof they were the chaps that robbed Milton's 
store. They're due for the penitentiary. 

Sylvia (to Rufe). Then the last danger is gone, 
I'm so glad! 

Rufe. Not half as glad as I am. 

(Takes her in his arms and kisses her.) 

Sylvia. Oh, Rufe! Before all these people? 

62 



SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS 



RuFE. I contend that I have a perfect right to kiss 
the future Mrs. Bronson! 

(Looks at Colonel, who laughs and nods. Rufe 
kisses her again.) 

AiNSLEY 

Colonel Rufe 

Mary Sylvia 

LiGE 



CURTAIN 



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